Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2026
Development of an Insert Co-culture System of Two Cellular Types in the Absence of Cell-Cell Contact
Published on: July 17, 2016
Effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids on interleukin-2 and interleukin-2 receptor alpha expression in activated murine
C A Jolly1, D N McMurray, R S Chapkin
1Faculty of Nutrition and Molecular and Cell Biology Group, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-2471, USA.
Abstract:
Dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) suppress interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion and impair T-lymphocyte proliferation. To determine the mechanism of action, mice were fed diets containing either safflower oil (control diet enriched in linoleic acid, 18:2n-6), EPA, DHA or arachidonic acid (20:4n-6). Splenic lymphocytes were isolated and concanavalin A-induced kinetics of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor alpha mRNA expression were determined by relative competitive-PCR. EPA and DHA did not affect IL-2 mRNA expression but suppressed IL-2 receptor alpha mRNA levels. These data show, for the first time, the selective effects of dietary EPA and DHA on T-lymphocyte gene expression.
Insights
Dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) selectively suppress T-lymphocyte IL-2 receptor alpha mRNA. This reveals a novel mechanism for how omega-3 fatty acids impact immune gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Dietary omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are known to modulate immune responses.
- Specifically, EPA and DHA suppress interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion and impair T-lymphocyte proliferation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanism by which dietary EPA and DHA affect T-lymphocyte function.
- To determine the impact of EPA and DHA on the gene expression of IL-2 and its receptor.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed diets supplemented with safflower oil (control), EPA, DHA, or arachidonic acid.
- Splenic lymphocytes were isolated and stimulated with concanavalin A.
- Relative competitive-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantify mRNA expression levels of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor alpha.
Main Results:
- Dietary EPA and DHA did not alter IL-2 mRNA expression in T-lymphocytes.
- However, both EPA and DHA significantly suppressed the mRNA levels of the IL-2 receptor alpha.
- Arachidonic acid and control diets did not show these suppressive effects.
Conclusions:
- Dietary EPA and DHA exert selective effects on T-lymphocyte gene expression.
- The suppression of IL-2 receptor alpha mRNA represents a novel mechanism through which omega-3 fatty acids modulate T-cell activation and immune responses.
